The 2008 American Institute For Public Service Jefferson Award
The Jefferson Awards for Public Service are given annually as a way to recognize individuals for their community and public service efforts ... individuals who have made Wyoming and the world, a better place. By recognizing and honoring outstanding public service, the Jefferson Awards also serves to encourage others to volunteer. The awards are sponsored statewide by KCWY News 13, Hilltop National Bank, and Wyoming.com.
The following nominees, George Bryce, Cheri Bundren, Richard and Pat Gregory, and Shirley Heckart, are the four nominees that our panel of statewide judges have selected as the Wyoming State winners and each was presented a certificate and a Jefferson Awards medallion at the luncheon that was held on 4/14/08. One of the four Wyoming Jefferson Award winners was then chosen by a panel of judges in Washington, DC to represent the people of Wyoming at the national awards ceremony in Washington DC on June 17, 2008 and that was Shirley Heckart.
George Bryce, a CLU, moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1976. His fingerprints have been on the Casper scene ever since. He has served Casper wearing many hats. He is an active member of his church since moving to Casper. He has been on the “Nic Museum Board” for many years and served in many functions with the NIC. His calling appears to be a ”Foundation type of guy”. The Casper College Foundation Board has been fortunate to have his presence for nearly 20 years. The Casper Area Community Foundation has had his presence for years. He became a part of McMurray Foundation from its inception and this foundation has supported our community and the state in more ways than anyone could conceive. He is a benefactor and sustaining member of the Rotary Foundation. As a member of this board, has done much for Casper. George has been a major force in the placing of many bronze’s and statues in the Casper Area. George’s thumbprint is on a good share of these attractive pieces of art through the Rotary Foundation. George Bryce is an exemplary Casper Rotary Club member. He joined Casper Rotary January 1980. He was president for the period 1992-93. He was Outstanding Rotary Committee Chairman from 1984 through 1987. He received the Distinguished Service Award in 2001-02 and is a Stan Lowe Fellow (Rotary members who contribute significant cash).George’s family (4 children) is grown and has left the nest. George and his wife Linda of 37 years still reside in Casper.
Cheri Bundren of Worland, Wyoming is nominated for the Jefferson Award to recognize her for all of her volunteer work efforts that she has put forth in numerous activities and projects for the past 32 years. After all this she continues to find time to stay active as a substitute teacher with the Washakie County School District. Cheri has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society since 1976 and was asked to be the Washakie County chairperson for this activity.. She has volunteered to chair numerous fund raising activities for the American Cancer Society: Singing Valentines, Daffodil Days, Relay For Life, Gorgeous Gals, Great American Smoke Out, and Jail ’n Bail are a few. Cheri brought the Walter Hagen Memorial Cancer Tournament to Worland and chaired this effort for several years. She also chaired a fundraiser project several years ago to bring some of the Denver Broncos football players to Worland and put on a benefit basketball game against some local talent with the hopes of raising funds for the American Cancer Society. She also works closely with the school district to educate students of all ages and teachers in cancer prevention and early detection. She chaired a local event of Almost Anything Goes. This past year she chaired a Dodge Ball team competition with several student teams taking on teachers teams and other teams made up of people in the community. Cheri is always very visible with booths that offer educational information during several of the community activities that focus on general public health issues. Cheri has also volunteered her time doing several radio spots and promotions. Cheri has been an active member of the local Kiwanis Club up until this past year. She was recognized as Kiwanian of the Year in 2001. She has reached the office of Vice President. She has chaired projects and been active in numerous others during her tenure such as the annual Coats for Kids drive and putting together the club float in the annual Light Parade in downtown Worland. She is also a member of the local PEO Chapter. Cheri is a member of the local Reading Council and is club Secretary. This organization sponsors a competition called Young Authors. Worland has a local Community Concert group and Cheri is on this committee that helps raise funds. Cheri was part of the first graduating class that completed the 2002-2003 Washakie Leadership Institute. Cheri taught Sunday school and she still works with the youth creating activities in our church for the youth of our community. She works very closely with the Pastor and coordinates special worship services. She has filled in as the pastor for Sunday services in the absence of our regular Pastor. Cheri has volunteered her time in the church office in the absence of the church secretary and works frequently with the secretary on the daily work. Cheri’s most recent church activity was to bring back the live nativity scene this past year for Christmas. This past year Cheri’s mother in law passed away after a battle with cancer. Cheri spent time at her side caring and being company for her. She even spent the night a few times to be there in case she was needed. She did this because she truly cares about others and their needs. She excels in offering whatever time and services she can to others to make a little difference in their lives that will hopefully make it a better day than it was before she was a part of their day.
Richard and Pat Gregory of Hanna, Wyoming, were nominated for a 2008 Jefferson Award because for over 30 years Richard and Pat Gregory have given their all for the people of the Town of Hanna and the surrounding area, as well as Interstate 80. Richard was with the Hanna Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years, and his wife, Pat, was there for 33 years. They were both with the Emergency Medical Service for almost 30 years. Richard’s and Pat’s dedication to excellence in serving the people of eastern Carbon County is well known among citizens, medical personnel and law enforcement of the state. The Gregory’s personal and family time was usually spent with the Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service, and they raised a son and daughter who grew up to also become active in the VFD. The Gregory’s children both also became emergency medical technicians. The Gregorys volunteered their time and effort to build the ambulance service from the ground up. They took a broken-down fire truck and a hand-me-down ambulance and worked hard to turn Hanna’s Fire and EMS Department into one of the best in the state. In all their years of service, there had to be many thousands of hours spent organizing fund raisers, working on equipment to ensure that it was ready on a moments notice, and tracking down trucks and other equipment that could improve Hanna’s ability to provide emergency services. They had the skill and knowledge to turn a one-vehicle rural fire department into an award-winning volunteer fire department and emergency medical service. If someone lost their home to a fire or lost a loved one Richard and Pat were always there to help pick up the pieces. When Donna Pipher’s mother became ill, she needed the ambulance on several occasions during the last eight years of her life. When Richard and Pat arrived, you could see in her face that she knew everything would be okay. Richard was also in charge of the Public Works Department and has done an excellent job taking care of the town of Hanna. Richard would go out at two or three o’clock in the morning and put sand on the hill going to the mine so the coal truck wouldn’t slide off into someone’s home. The maintenance of this small town could be staggering, but Richard kept everything going. His dedication to the job was a daily reminder of how lucky the people of Hanna and Carbon County were to have him. If something needed to be done at the cemetery, like putting names on the directory or emptying the trash, Pat and Richard would do it. It seems as though they never finished a holiday meal with their family, because if the ambulance or fire department needed someone, they went. They could be called any hour, day or night, if needed. Pat and Richard both have given their all so the townspeople of Hanna are taken care of and they have never wanted any credit for their efforts.
Shirley Heckart of Lander, Wyoming, is nominated for the Jefferson Awards because she is a people person! When Shirley is focusing her attention on a needy young person, or a student, that one immediately knows that she is more than just a teacher; she is a mentor and a friend. Shirley is the first one to show up at the door of a sick friend with a casserole and offers of help. Her good works and love have extended to many in the Lander/Riverton Community. Shirley is known at the Wyoming State Training School for 25 years of tireless love and concern while teaching students with varied disabilities. She helped create the Handicapped Senior Day Program used in institutions throughout Wyoming. She CONTINUED her work at WSTS as a volunteer and is the parental guardian and advocate for one patient now 8l years old. Shirley makes decisions involving health care, financial oversight and daily and weekly program. She visits her on a regular basis to make sure that she is happy and secure in a stable and loving environment. Shirley works with both the Fremont County Group Home for Girls in Lander, who are troubled and may have been abused and the Fremont County Boys Home in Riverton. Shirley brings small bags of personal items on a regular basis, shops for gifts at Christmas and delivers food for holidays. This is a challenge because the client population is always changing. She provides funds on a regular basis for extra needs and program. Shirley extended her volunteer services to the Shelter in Riverton Administered by the Fremont Alliance for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. As always, she asks, "What can I do to help"? Then, she gets the job done. Shirley volunteers three days a week at Lander Christian Academy in Lander. She has taught math and language arts for the past l3 years and tutors individual students as needed. She has also served on the school board. Shirley motivates children. When she enters a school room, she is greeted with hugs, delighted smiles of greeting and learning begins. Shirley's husband, Gerald Heckart, former mayor of Lander, helps and supports her in all of her volunteer efforts. Teacher, friend, motivator, advocate, and counselor all describe Shirley Heckart's impact on the Lander/Riverton community. Shirley was selected to represent Wyoming at the National Awards ceremony in Washington DC in June.
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